Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stephen Morgan MP. The Cabinet Member had received comments from Councillor Morgan on the agenda, including his thanks to officers and volunteers in libraries, museums and archives for another successful year.

There were no declarations of interest.

Claire Looney, Commissioning & Partnership Manager, Culture, Leisure & Regulatory Services, presented the report and highlighted the following areas:

·      Portsmouth Creates is not tied to a particular building as many arts offerings are now. It aims to develop freelance artists' networks, which are strong in Portsmouth.

·      Portsmouth Creates is currently forming itself into a legal entity. It is confirmed that no service level agreement will be executed or grant funding paid until the organisation comes to fruition.

Members thought Portsmouth Creates was an exciting initiative and would help Portsmouth's creative community to flourish.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member

1.    Agreed that officers are authorised to support the creation of Portsmouth Creates as a new independent organisation to deliver the outcomes of the Cultural Strategy. 

2.    Agreed that a grant of £50,000 is confirmed for both 2019/20 and 2020/21 to support the establishment of Portsmouth Creates but that this will only be released on confirmation of securing of funding from other key partners

Lindy Elliott, Library and Archive Service Manager, presented the report and highlighted the following points:

·           The service is looking at launching a new website which is planned to be in place by March 2020.

·           The previous week Hampshire County Council had expressed interest in the library management system consortia.

·           The roll-out of delivery of Universal Credit continues to be in abeyance. A great deal of work is being done to enable delivery.

·           Positive and encouraging feedback had been received that morning from the first school to finish a pilot project targeting children less likely to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge. The space theme of this summer's challenge was proving equally popular with both children and parents.

The Cabinet Member thanked the Library and Archive Service Manager for the City of Stories project which has had positive outcomes.

The Cabinet Member reported that in response to a question raised by Councillor Robert New about the library service in Copnor it had been arranged for the mobile library service to visit Copnor one day a week. Councillor New has been informed and has asked for his thanks to be passed on to the Library Service.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member agreed that the following actions be delivered in 2019/20:

1.    That the updates and progress on activity from the Portsmouth Libraries and Archives Annual Update Report 2018/19, shown at 3 be noted.

2.    That the following actions be delivered by Libraries and Archives in 2019/20:

3.    Development and delivery of a Library Strategy to cover the period 2020 - 2025 to inform activity and priorities.

4.    Development and launch of the independent Public Libraries, School Library Service and Archive Service website.

5.    Refurbishment of services at Cosham Library in association with structural repairs planned for winter 2020.

6.    Stock review to include purchase allocation and presentation of stock.

7.    Delivery of pilot project for the Summer Reading Challenge Plus, evaluate and report.

8.    Explore options for library management system consortia, working with Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Evaluate and report.

9.    Deliver the second and final year of the City of Stories Project funded by Arts Council England. This project is shared equally by The Conan Doyle Project and Libraries and Archives. This is a two year project to the value of £140,000.

10. Continue delivery of the Libraries Health and Wellbeing Project funded by the Public Health Transformation fund. This is year two of a four year project to the value of £174,000.

11. Completion and delivery of the Archive Outreach Policy.

12. Relocation and set up of the Photographic store at the Central Library.

13. Re-submission of Archive Accreditation.

14. Deliver annual budget savings as required.

Lindy Elliott, Library and Archive Service Manager, presented the report on behalf of the Senior Archivist.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member accepted:

1.    The Archives Collections Care and Conservation Policy for implementation.

2.    The Archives Collections Information Policy for implementation.

3.    The Archives Access Policy for implementation.

Jane Mee, Museums & Visitor Service Manager, presented the report and highlighted the following areas:

·         The D-Day Story Museum has achieved visitor income targets and feedback has been overwhelming. Staff will continue to work with young people and to engage broader audiences as requested by veterans.

·         The bid for the Landing Craft Tank 7074 was successful and is now in the implementation phase.

·         The service is planning celebrations for the 75^th anniversary of VE Day in May 2020 and the 125^th anniversary of Portsmouth's first municipal museum in January 2020.

In response to questions from members officers suggested that the improved Butterfly House has contributed to increased visitor numbers at Cumberland House. Staff have worked closely with the Stratford Butterfly Farm for guidance on suitable habitats for the butterflies. The beehive has also proved popular. The Cabinet Member said the investment in the Butterfly House has paid dividends.

Members congratulated officers on the D-Day 75 celebrations and noted it was good to see different groups participating and bonding together at well-attended events.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member noted

1.    The review of last year's activity especially the successful completion of the first year of operation of The D-Day Story. 

2.    Existing service commitments including developing new income streams to maintain services, delivery of the final phases of the Transforming the D-Day Museum which ends in February 2021 and delivery of the Landing Craft Tank project in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, also delivery of the Wild about Portsmouth project which will transform access to the city's natural history collection and work with the newly formed independent  body "Portsmouth Creates" on future joint cultural strategic opportunities and projects for the city.

The Cabinet Member agreed that the Museums Service

3.    Work towards a co-creation approach to service delivery in which residents become participants and work alongside staff to shape policies, plans and activity.

4.    Deliver the Portsmouth revisited exhibition of paintings at Portsmouth Museum.

5.    Prepare for the celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of VE Day in May 2020 and the 125^th Anniversary of municipal museums in Portsmouth in January 2020.

6.    Provide public access to Southsea Lighthouse with the support of Coastal Revival Fund.

Lindy Elliott, Library & Archive Services Manager, presented the report on behalf of the Service Development Manager.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.

The Cabinet Member thanked everyone involved in organising the successful D-Day 75 celebrations; it was a huge team effort in a short space of time. He also thanked James Ralls and Terry at the Victorious Festival for partnering the council and contributing to its success.